Iustitia Dei

New, updated, one volume edition of this definitive study of the history of the doctrine of justification.

The Christian doctrine of justification is of immense interest to historians and theologians, and continues to be of major importance in modern ecumenical discussions. The present work appeared in its first edition in 1986, and rapidly became the leading reference work on the subject. Its many acclaimed features include a detailed assessment of the semantic background of the concept in the ancient Near East, a thorough examination of the doctrine of the medieval period, and especially careful analysis of its development during the critical years of the sixteenth century. The third edition thoroughly updates the work, adding material where necessary, and responding to developments in scholarly literature. It will be an essential resource for all concerned with the development of Christian doctrine, the history of the Reformation debates on the identity of Christianity, and modern discussions between Protestants and Roman Catholics over the nature of salvation.

New, updated, one volume edition of this definitive study of the history of the doctrine of justification.

The present work pursues an apologetic plea on behalf of the gospel. It would seem to many that the gospel is doing just fine, and we need to concentrate on other very pressing and important issues such as missions, evangelism, social justice, moral transformation, and change, just to name a few. But it will be our argument that no matter how good it may be with the gospel, and how many other pressing issues may exist, the church must continually articulate the gospel as the ever-pressing need of the day. And, by gospel we mean the doctrine of Christ's perfect God-pleasing life as empowered by the Spirit under the law, in order to be the Father's incarnate Lamb of God who takes away sin by his atoning reconciling death, for the justification of sinners by faith alone without their works, merits, or obedience before God. It is the doctrine of faith, grace, and Christ alone in order to be thus received and embraced by the lavish, abundant, and unconditional loving mercy of the triune God. Furthermore, we want to show that the Gospel provides a very practical framework to live in communion with God and with one another. It is indispensable for living, and for living such a life as it is daily delivered by God unto us sinners in the communication and apprehension of the Gospel as undeserved and unconditional, yet efficacious and transforming gift.

In three wide-ranging case studies Mark A. Garcia offers a comprehensive yet focused analysis of the centrality of union with Christ in Calvin's thought. It explains not only the distinctive nature of Calvin's response to Rome on justification, but why this response must be carefully distinguished from that of his Lutheran counterparts. The fruit of these investigations is the first extensive demonstration that Calvin's exposition of union with Christ in relating justification and sanctification points to an emerging Reformed theology of justification that diverges from the Lutheran tradition. Calvin's exegetical and theological model of union with Christ accents the importance in the early Reformed tradition of the relationship between Christology and salvation.

There has been a distinct tendency in modern scholarship to underestimate Luther’s teaching on love by overemphasizing his teaching on justification. Calling this tendency into question, this volume advances the thesis that Luther’s teaching on faith and love operates as the overriding thematic pair in the dynamics of Christ and the law—structurally and conceptually undergirding the 1535 Galatians commentary. The research situates itself in the landscape of Luther scholarship via a special attention to Finnish Luther scholars and scholarship. The project argues that in the discussion of proper righteousness and holiness, Luther’s redefined love emerges in harmony with faith. His views on Christian freedom, the Christ-given law of love, the twofold way of fulfilling the law, and his Christological premises demonstrate the logical rationale for reintroducing love. This love, designated as a fruit of faith, is incarnated in three major relations: love toward God, toward others, and toward self.

Martin Bucer has usually been portrayed as a diplomat who attempted to reconcile divergent theological views, sometimes at any cost, or as a pragmatic pastor who was more concerned with ethics than theology. These representations have led to the view that Bucer was a theological light-weight, rightly placed in the shadow of Luther and Calvin. This book makes a different argument. Bucer was an ecclesial diplomat and a pragmatic pastor, yet his ecclesial and practical approaches to reforming the Church were guided by coherent theological convictions. Central to his theology was his understanding of the doctrine of justification, an understanding that Brian Lugioyo argues has an integrity of its own, though it has been imprecisely represented as intentionally conciliatory. It was this solid doctrine that guided Bucer's irenicism and acted as a foundation for his entrance into discussions with Catholics between 1539 and 1541. Lugioyo demonstrates that Bucer was consistent in his approach and did not sacrifice his theological convictions for ecclesial expediency. Indeed his understanding was an accepted evangelical perspective on justification, one to be commended along with those of Luther and Calvin.